Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri is now ranked 20th in the beginning of the year ITTF ranking released Monday by the World Table Tennis ruling body.
As the first African to win an ITTF title outside the continent after claiming the men’s singles at the Polish Open, Aruna Quadri gained more points from his Poland victory as well as claimed some points from his qualification to the main draw at the ITTF World Cup in Liege, Belgium.
The Portugal based player in October, November and December was ranked 36th, 25th and 21st respectively gathering 10355 points to move one place up this year.
Italy-based Olajide Omotayo is ranked 213 in the world and second in Nigeria behind Aruna Quadri.
Omotayo on his facebook page wrote, “What a good way to start a new year. Thank you all for your support God is good. Come on 2018”.
In the female category, Funke Oshonaike who has represented Nigeria at six Olympics is number one in Nigeria placing 129 in the World.
Oshonaike with 3210 points is followed by Offiong Edem 269 in the World with 1275 points.
The top five Table Tennis players in Nigeria are:
Male
Aruna Quadri (20)
Omotayo Olajide (213)
Toriola Segun (268)
Onaolapo Ojo (286)
Abiodun Bode (300)
Female
Olufunke Oshonaike (129)
Offiong Edem (269)
Cecillia Akpan (432)
Fatima Kazeem (432)
Nike Aroyehun (478)